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Rep. Neal Jackson files bill to give Moore and Randolph County Schools more flexibility

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For his first bill filed as a Representative of Moore and Randolph counties, Rep. Neal Jackson is proposing a bill to give public schools greater flexibility with the school year start date. He is pleased to be joined by Speaker Pro Tempore Sarah Stevens, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and Rep. Brian Biggs. 

The current statute requires schools start no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26. Rep. Jackson’s bill would allow public schools the flexibility to open as early as August 10 each year. This bill would also allow for flexibility with first-semester testing and would align with college schedules allowing easier transfers for graduating seniors. This school calendar flexibility bill does not dictate the start date local school boards must abide by, but instead gives them the freedom to decide what schedule works best for their community.

Rep. Jackson commented, “This bill is the response of the numerous requests of our local school officials and parents who desire a schedule that works best for our students and their future scholastic goals.” 

Rep. Donnie Loftis said, “This bill will provide flexibility for local school districts to coordinate learning that aligns with our Community College system and centers of higher learning. It also provides opportunities for local school districts to complete mid-year testing before the Holiday break.”

 Rep. Brian Biggs had this to say, “I am happy to bring this bill to the legislature to ensure the flexibility that the school systems need to be able to best serve our residents. We will continue to champion the needs and rights of our students, parents, and local officials to make the best choices for our school systems.”

RepTillman

Tillman built big influence on state level

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ARCHDALE — Jerry Tillman’s influence on state politics had a long-lasting impact that’s bound to extend well past his death.

“He had a huge impact on our area,” state Sen. Dave Craven said. “He was a champion for our community.”

Tillman, a longtime state senator from Randolph County, died Saturday at age 82.

Tillman, a retired teacher, administrator, and coach in public schools, was first elected to the state Senate in 2002. He resigned from the chamber in 2020. He served a total of nine terms and became one of two majority whips in the Senate.

Craven, while in high school, was a page for Tillman in 2005. Fifteen years later, he was appointed to replace Tillman and later elected to the position.

“Jerry Tillman has been good to me through the years,” Craven said. “I can never thank him enough. I want to honor him in any way we can. I want to build on the legacy that he built.”

Tillman’s efforts involved becoming an advocate for Randolph Hospital and North Carolina Zoo.

He was a strong proponent of K-12 schools and a leader on education issues, given his background in the Randolph County School System. During his time in the majority, the legislature overhauled teacher and principal pay scales, resulting in substantial raises.

Senate leader Phil Berger, a Republican from Rockingham County, said in a statement: “Jerry was highly regarded in Raleigh and back in Randolph County for being a dedicated educator and leader. He played a significant role in shaping the policies that made North Carolina the best state in the nation. Jerry was truly larger than life. He was never afraid to share his thoughts on a particular bill and would often lighten the mood by regaling us with tales about music, racing, and baseball.”  

Earlier this week, Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff for two days to honor Tillman.

“Senator Tillman was a dedicated public servant who worked tirelessly for his community for many years,” Cooper said in a statement. “Our prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”

During his nine terms in the Senate, Tillman emerged as a chamber leader. He served as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education, and Majority Whip.

As finance committee chairman, his reputation grew as a lawmaker pushing for lower taxes, Craven said.

“His leadership in the Senate ushered in a new era that transformed North Carolina’s political and economic landscape,” Craven said. “His influence will be felt in Randolph County for generations to come.”

Tillman rose to the No. 4 seat in the 50-member chamber. That was the top spot other than those reserved for specific leadership roles.

“He was as senior as you can be,” Craven said.

Often referred to as “coach” by his colleagues, Sen. Tillman’s love of baseball and music was well known. He would often recite songs to people who stopped by his office.

He also had an interest in NASCAR, creating a longtime friendship with legendary driver Richard Petty of Level Cross.

In his retirement announcement in 2020, Tillman said: “It has been a pleasure serving the people that I have been so honored to represent over the years. My greatest joy in serving has always come from helping people with their everyday needs.”

He took the most pride in the assistance he provided others.

“I’ve been very, very pleased to help people,” Tillman said upon his retirement. “When you can help them, you have a good feeling, and I’ve done that for 20 years. I feel like that it’s time for me to move on and give somebody else a chance to do this work.”

His wife, Marian, died in 2019.

Session Opens NC

General Assembly wraps up long session

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RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly wrapped up late Monday nearly all of its work for the calendar year, although vetoes, redistricting rulings or other items could bring lawmakers back to Raleigh for more activity within weeks.

The session, which began the session in January, ended with votes on more than a dozen measures before members of the House and Senate left Raleigh. 

One bill heading for Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk — that sources say he is likely to veto — would prohibit election boards and officials in counties from accepting private money to run elections, which happened in 2020. It was approved on a party-line vote with Democrats opposing the bill. Another measure receiving final approval — spurred on by a stinging state audit last year of Rocky Mount’s finances — places new conflict-of-interest rules upon local government officials across the state, subjecting them to possible felonies when personal financial gain is the result. 

The approval of a 35-page measure making mostly technical changes to the new state budget sets aside another $107 million for Piedmont Triad International Airport improvements should an airplane manufacturer choose to expand in Guilford County. The company isn’t identified in the bill text, but one legislator referred to it as “Project Thunderbird.”

Another finalized bill likely to get scrutiny from Cooper in part would prohibit local governments from barring a type of energy service based on the fuel type — such as natural gas, for example.

After Monday, the legislature will hold no-vote meetings until Dec. 10 — a parliamentary maneuver designed to limit Cooper’s time to act on legislation to no more than 10 days. 

Then lawmakers could return starting Dec. 30 for limited purposes, such as veto overrides, votes on last-minute negotiated measures between the two chambers and to address bills that are related to redistricting. But legislative leaders said any necessary actions are unlikely to occur until early January 2022.

This year’s session, which began in earnest on Jan. 27, marks the second longest uninterrupted annual session since at least 1965, when calculated by the number of days lawmakers hold chamber floor meetings, according to legislative data. 

The longest was in 2001. This year, COVID-19 precautions and aid, a later tax filing deadline and a massive revenue surplus all combined with redistricting to extend the session into the late fall. 

Randolph County’s legislative delegation had a busy session. Rep. Pat Hurley (R-Randolph) is the senior member of the delegation. She sponsored 78 bills during the long session, serving as a primary sponsor on 29 bills and the lead sponsor on eight. Eighteen of her bills were passed by both chambers with 17 of those bills becoming law. The final bill, one regarding UNC System requests and COVID policies, is pending action by a conference committee of House and Senate members. 

Rep. Allen McNeill (R-Randolph) sponsored the most bills from the Randolph delegation with 102 bills. He was a primary sponsor on 48 bills and the lead sponsor on 18. Twenty of McNeill’s bills became law. 

Sen. David Craven (R-Randolph) is serving his first full term in the state Senate. He sponsored 52 bills in the upper chamber serving as a primary sponsor on 19 bills and the lead sponsor on five. Nine bills he sponsored are now law with one additional bill awaiting a conference committee vote. Craven’s bill allowing community colleges to determine eligibility for in-state tuition for recent high school graduates was signed by Roy Cooper marking his first lead-sponsorship of an enacted law.  

At the state level, the session was marked by the first comprehensive budget bill that Cooper agreed to sign into law since he took office in 2017, and the first enacted in over three years. There was no such budget approved in 2019 because of a stalemate between the governor and GOP legislative leaders.

The enacted budget included billions of dollars for COVID-19 relief and recovery funds. The bill also included significant income tax cuts for individuals and businesses; average 5% raises for teachers over two years and bonuses of up to $2,800; and 5% raises and bonuses over two years for most rank-and-file state employees.

Republicans gained leverage over Cooper in the budget talks as several Democrats seemed willing to join the GOP in overriding any vetoed budget. Still, Cooper continued to use his veto stamp effectively, given that Republicans lack veto-proof majorities. None of his 12 vetoes this year have been overridden.

Debate on some high-profile bills that idled this year — including those that would authorize sports gambling in North Carolina and legalize marijuana for medical use — could resurface when lawmakers go back to work in 2022.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.